Vadnais Heights, MN
IP Corporation is a family-owned chemical manufacturing company, seven decades strong, with a proud track record of innovation and growth. Across our four operating companies—Interplastic Corporation, North American Composites, HK Research, and Molding Products—we deliver industry-leading gel coats, resins, and composite materials. With stability, a culture rooted in stability, and a focus on modernization, we are committed to building a workplace where innovation, collaboration, and people thrive.
The Sr. Director of Business Applications will lead the strategy, delivery, and support of enterprise business applications across IP Corporation. This is a high-impact role, accountable for ensuring applications are reliable, scalable, and aligned to business needs, while driving digital transformation initiatives that improve operational efficiency and data-driven decision making.
Partnering closely with our CIO, business stakeholders, and project management teams, you will oversee ERP/MES migrations, data platform modernization, and application lifecycle management. You’ll lead a multi-disciplinary team—including business analysts, developers, and data analysts—through a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Strategic Leadership
Define the roadmap and operating model for enterprise business applications aligned with corporate strategy.
Lead and mentor 1–3 direct managers and their teams, fostering a high-performance, customer-centric culture.
Act as executive sponsor for major programs (ERP migration, MES modernization, analytics platform deployment).
Application Delivery & Governance
Oversee the productization, delivery, and lifecycle management of core enterprise applications (ERP, CRM, reporting platforms).
Partner with Project Management to define/refine delivery methodology using Agile, Lean, and Waterfall principles.
Ensure applications meet performance, scalability, compliance, and security standards.
Establish governance practices for application portfolio management and vendor partnerships.
Data & Reporting
Champion data governance policies to ensure enterprise-wide data quality, security, and accessibility.
Oversee development of reporting and analytics capabilities to support executive decision making.
Partner with leaders across functions to define KPIs and reporting standards.
Operational Excellence
Apply Lean methodologies to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.
Ensure strong change management and training programs support new system rollouts.
Identify opportunities for process automation and digital innovation.
Stakeholder Collaboration
Serve as the primary liaison between IT and business units for application strategy and delivery.
Partner with manufacturing, supply chain, finance, sales, and quality leaders to ensure business needs are met.
Communicate effectively with executives, managers, and end users regarding project status, risks, and business value.
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Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or equivalent experience.
10+ years progressive IT/business applications experience, with 5+ years in leadership roles.
Proven success in manufacturing environments (chemical or logistics strongly preferred).
Demonstrated leadership in large-scale ERP and/or MES migrations from strategy through execution.
Hands-on expertise with Agile frameworks, Lean Six Sigma, and enterprise reporting practices.
Strong leadership skills managing managers and cross-disciplinary teams (BAs, developers, analysts).
Excellent executive communication and influencing skills.
Certifications: SAFe Program Consultant (SPC), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP (or equivalent).
Experience with chemical/process manufacturing ERP solutions (Infor M3, SAP, Oracle) and MES platforms.
Familiarity with data analytics platforms (Power BI, Tableau, Snowflake, etc.).
Strong vendor management and contract negotiation experience.
Proven track record leading digital transformation initiatives in regulated industries (chemical, pharma, food).
Positive, challenging, and supportive work environment.
Competitive benefits, including dental, vision, generous PTO, 401(k) with company match and more.
Freedom to innovate and make a difference in a values-driven company.
Opportunity to shape the digital future of a growing chemical manufacturing leader.
Pay Transparency Range:
$187,731.00 - $229,611.00
